Archive for the tag 'French Bull Dog'

Ask the French Bulldog Veterinarian - Spinal Lesions in a Frenchie

admin August 12th, 2008

I had a Frenchie for 4 years, and she was healthy. Then last summer she started to wobble in the back legs, and slowly she lost her ability to walk over the next 9 months.  I took her to a specialist, got an MRI, but there was a lesion in her spine, and they couldn’t figure out what it was.  Also she had 7 generative discs.  It was a difficult experience, and ultimately after all kinds of treatment, like acupuncture, joint support powder, and finally a wheel chair,  I could no longer care for the dog properly, and had to give her to a rescue organization that is seeking a new family for her.

She had lots of UTI’s and I couldn’t get her out of my apartment building in time for her to do her business, because she lost sensation.  My wife and I are expecting a child and we both work.  I wanted the dog to be with someone who has easy access to a backyard and a little more time to attend to her special needs.   I feel a lot of guilt about giving her up, but I want her to get the best care.

I just wish I knew what caused her to go lame in the back legs at such a young age.  She is the best dog I have ever had, and seems otherwise happy, she just drags herself around. I would have paid whatever to cure her, but the vet said it was the lesion not her vertebrae that were causing the problem, and an operation would not have helped.

I am afraid to get another dog, because giving up the dog was so difficult for my family.

Is there anything to look for in a perspective dog to show warning signs of this kind of problem?

Missing my Frenchie

Dr. Lori writes –
It sounds like we know exactly why she became paralyzed and that is due to the spinal lesion.  It doesn’t say whether her vet believed it was inherited or from injury, but given she is a frenchie, it’s more than likely congenital and as she aged, the lesion in her spine worsened.   I am guessing here, as I don’t know the specifics, but my supposition is that she had a curve in her spine that caused the spinal cord to “kink”, thus causing the lesion and her clinical signs…

I am sorry that you went through such heartbreak.  There really are often no warning signs, until it is too late to fix it.  My suggestion to you would be to find a breeder who thoroughly health screens at an early age as well as adults…  it might not prevent an issue, but it might help you be more knowledgeable about what you are getting in to.

Again, I am sorry and I hope your girl finds a home that can care for her

Lori Hunt, DVM
French Bulldogs d’Assisi

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Ask the Breeder Follow Up - Jack gets his ears!

admin July 24th, 2008

Well, we’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again - nine times out of ten, if you give your French Bulldog puppy’s ears enough time, they will come up.

Here’s some proof - follow up to this posting from a few months back.

I do not know if you will remember but a few weeks ago I asked a question re our frenchies ears. You kindly answered and said that they will come up in time - well they did!

Thanks again - Photo of Jack and his ears attached.

French Bulldog Puppy with Ears Up

Pat writes -

Congratulations!!! a cute dog… and lovely ears… glad all is well

Editor’s note: No, no, no. Jack’s ears are definately defective. Umm, yeah. He’s broken, so you might as well just… umm… send him to me. Yeah! Send me that adorable little darling broken eared little defective.

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Ask the Frenchie Vet - Preventative Orthodontics on Puppy

lorihuntdvm July 23rd, 2008

have a 10 1/2 week old french bulldog.  He has a reverse scissor bite but I noticed that his top teeth are digging into the back side of his bottom gums.  Have you seen this before?  I have talked to two different vets.  One said to pull the teeth and that there was a 50% chance that the adult teeth would grow in normal (don’t really understand how pulling the teeth would affect the adult teeth). The other said that since there is no inflammation and that it doesn’t seem to be bothering him then we don’t need to pull them and just hope that the gums/jaw will adjust as he grows to accommodate the top teeth.

What do you think?  Have others had this issue and what have they done?

Dr. Lori writes -

Pulling baby teeth to make room for the adult teeth is known as preventative orthodontics, and can be a very good idea in some cases.  I would have to see him to tell you which way to go.  If he is not going to be shown, and instead will be neutered, I would wait and watch.  He is still quiet young and his bite will do a lot of changing in the next couple of months.

I would say if you still see the issue at 4 or 5 months, to consider pulling them so the adult teeth have a chance to come in in the appropriate positions and not do the same thing as the baby teeth.  You could do this at the same time as his neuter.

Dr. Lori Hunt, DVM

Editor’s note: We recently dealt with a similar issue here

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Ask the French Bulldog Vet - Surgery for Baby Puppy Teeth?

admin July 20th, 2008

I just took my 5 month-old French Bulldog male Wilbur to the vet to get his last set of shots and for a routine checkup. The vet was very concerned that Wilbur still had 3 of his K9 baby teeth while his adult teeth were almost completely grown in. I haven’t been concerned up until now because I assumed they would just fall out on their own. A few days ago he had all 4 baby K9 teeth, but lost one on his own.

The vet said that it is imperative that we schedule a surgery to remove the baby teeth before they cause gum disease. He said that I will need to leave Wilbur for the entire day and they will put him under anesthesia. I am very hesitant to put my baby under for something as minor as pulling baby teeth, especially because I know how dangerous it can be for short-nosed breeds. Do you think that the baby teeth need to come out immediately and warrart anesthesia?

Are there any other options besides anesthesia? I don’t want to risk his life for something so small!’

Dr. Lori writes -
Retained baby teeth can affect the bite of an adult frenchie by not allowing the adult teeth to come to the appropriate spaces.  This can sometimes result in teeth hitting the roof of the mouth, etc.  However, that being said, I am hesitant to anesthetize him for JUST that.  If he is 5 months old, I suspect he is coming to the age of neutering, which is when I usually recommend to my clients that we remove any retained puppy teeth, since they will already be under anesthetic.

As for other options, there really aren’t any…  other than wiggling those teeth every chance you get and see if you can work them out on their own.

Lori Hunt, DVM

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Ask the Frenchie Training - Handling a Hyper French Bulldog

gollygear July 18th, 2008

i have a 5 month old frenchie and shes hyper as all get out,she also bites and chews she has a room full of toys i dont want to get rid of her what do u suggest i do

Hope writes -

Puppies don’t know how to “behave” - you have to teach her!

My first suggestion is that you find a good basic obedience class in your area. The best classes and trainers are the ones who teach you how to train your puppy. A good class will give you the skills to take home and practise with your puppy several times a day, a few minutes each time.

Many dog clubs have classes that are open to the public, check the American Kennel Club listing of obedience club to see if there’s one in your area:  http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=obed&display=on

Alternatively, many park districts and dog day-care facilites offer basic obedience classes.

In the meantime, start teaching your puppy to “sit and accept praise.” After a fun play session and a potty break, sit with your puppy on the floor. She should be next to you, facing the same way. Have her sit at your side. If you have to hug her to keep her still, that’s okay. Talk to her calmly and pet her, telling her she’s a good girl, and “good chill” (or whatever word you choose to use). After a few minutes, release her, saying “good job.” Stay calm, and she may just stay next to you, relaxing.

Schedule a few “chill sessions” every day, until she learns that after playtime, it’s time to relax - for both of you.

-Hope

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